The Eastern Mediterranean Programme hosts a panel discussion in Nicosia, in the context of the Cyprus Forum
On 3 October, the Eastern Mediterranean programme at Oxford hosted a panel discussion in the context of the Cyprus Forum, which took place in Nicosia, Cyprus. The Cyprus Forum constitutes the largest independent annual conference taking place in Cyprus, providing the platform for the discussion of pressing contemporary issues related to Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the European Union.
The programme’s panel interrogated the strategic significance of the Eastern Mediterranean in relation to European security, appraising the path ahead given the challenges, and unveiling the direct and indirect effect on European security as a result of developments (or the lack thereof) in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The panel was comprised of the US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie D. Fisher, the British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Irfan Siddiq OBE, the Managing Director for Europe of the European External Action Service, Angelina Eichhorst, the until recently principal advisor to the current Prime Minister of Greece on energy, the environment, climate, and circular economy issues, George Kremlis, and the Associate Fellow of Chatham House and Eastern Mediterranean expert, Dimitris Cavouras. The panel discussion was moderated by the member of the programme’s core team, George Hajipavli.
The speakers drew attention to a variety of issues, including the implications on the region and European security from the resurgence in great power competition, the continued energy insecurity in Europe and the prospect for the Eastern Mediterranean to alleviate energy dependence, as well as the region’s role within broader strategic processes and planning, and the prospect of conflict escalation in undermining such processes.
Prior to the panel discussion, George Hajipavli was invited to present the programme before the afternoon news and current affairs programme of the Cypriot state TV channel, the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation.
